3-Year-Old Dies at Ichilov After Severe Meningococcal Infection

A 3-year-old child died this morning at Ichilov Medical Center after contracting a virulent bacterium. According to the hospital, the toddler was brought to the emergency department in septic shock, with a clinical suspicion of meningococcemia, or blood poisoning. Medical staff fought to save the child and carried out prolonged resuscitation efforts, but ultimately had to pronounce the child dead. The report was published by Kan 11.

Ichilov said there is a vaccine against meningococcus B, which the Israel Pediatric Association recommends. In a statement, the hospital urged the public to vaccinate infants and toddlers, saying the shot can save lives.

Meningococcus, or Neisseria meningitidis, is sometimes described as the “violent bacterium” because it can cause meningitis and severe bloodstream infection. It is relatively rare, but it can progress very quickly and become life-threatening within hours. Early symptoms are not always specific and may include high fever, headache, vomiting, drowsiness, muscle pain and sensitivity to light, and in some cases a characteristic rash that does not fade when pressed.

The bacterium spreads from person to person through saliva droplets and respiratory secretions, although most carriers do not become ill. Infants, toddlers, teenagers and young adults are at higher risk of invasive disease. In Israel, several strains circulate, and strain B, for which there is a vaccine, is among the most common.